Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The Yard and Pool Progress

It's Outdoor Wednesday time, which is hosted by Susan of http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/. Let's visit Susan and everybody on her list of participants. I know it will be a lot of fun!


Last week, I showed you the excavation of our backyard in preparation for the building of a pool. Well, they are still working on it, huge machineries and dirt everywhere and I would like to share the progress with you. But before we get to that, let me show you some plants and flowers in our front and side yard by the driveway. It will be a refreshing change for me to see them since all I see from our office, bedroom, kitchen and family room windows is dirt and a big hole.


The magnolia tree is blooming. Aren't the flowers gorgeous? They're big! The tree is actually on the hill, not the same side as the driveway but on the other side of the house.

The blooms do not last long. They turn brown the next day or 2 but it does not matter because there are buds opening up daily.

These are on the front yard. Are they some kind of daisies?




The rose is pretty lonely, all by itself, lol, at least coming from this particular plant.

There you see the driveway and this plant bed gets kinda wild.
Holly bushes line one whole side of the driveway.

Yellow lantana.

Not sure what these are but the color is really pretty. They grow on a tree.
These are just starting to pop out in the front. I can't wait to see the
buds open up. Asian jasmines fill the ground. They spread everywhere. We mow them and they keep coming back.pink and yellow combination lantana. Sorry, I should have taken a close up but you can click to enlarge.
I think these belong to the orchid family.
I dug out this Asian iris (I think that's what it's called) from the backyard before it was excavated. So glad it is doing well. See the tiny white flower on its top right? See the rose bush on the left clay pot in the background on the left? I am moving these big pots to the pool deck after it's finished.
Ok, here is the progress on the pool. The Roman steps are in place.
The turbo seat is installed.
The sun ledge is also in place.

They started pouring concrete this morning and are still pouring in between spreading and leveling as of now and it's almost 4 PM.
5 men all work together.




It's coming along well I think. The guys are still working so I will show you more next week. Thanks for your visit and you all have a nice Outdoor Wednesday! Thanks Susan for taking the time to host this event.

44 comments:

bj said...

Omigosh...I am just beside myself about this fabulous pool. Ya'll are so so gonna enjoy the heck out of it. I am really happy you can do this. I know you will have it looking like a million dollars as soon as they finish it.
love, bj

Lynn said...

It will be lovely to swim in the midst of the forest behind you. WOW!!

And you have such a green thumb...and probably all the rest of your fingers too!

ellen b said...

Your blooms are all so pretty! How very nice to be putting this great pool in!! Enjoy...

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh boy, Christine! Look at the progress on that pool, and what a pool! WOW! It's going to be wonderful and so much fun for your family.

I also love all of the magnolias and other plants in your yard. Your yard is very lush and pretty.

Wishing you a Happy Outdoor Wednesday and much love...

XO,

Sheila :-)

imjacobsmom said...

That turbo seat looks like a really cool feature! Your pool is going to be awesome! I can't wait to see what you do with the decor! ~ Robyn

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Wow, things are certainly moving along! I love the seat and sun areas... your pool looks like it's going to be huge.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

That's going to be a huge pool, but oh how you will enjoy it. I know you and the grandchildren will have many fun times playing in the pool. Your flowers are all so pretty. With water shortage and temps reaching up to 107 there's nothing blooming here. Miss it. Can't wait to see the finished pool and landscaping. Hugs, Marty

Sandra said...

Your flowers and plants are all beautiful. The magnolia tree is stunning. Wow, and what a huge pool you're going to have. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

You have a lovely area! That pool is huge! I bet it's going to be just gorgeous!! I think when you get it done you need to have us all over for a blog swimming party! God Bless! Lauralu :)

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

So many beautiful things growing in your yard (including your pool). I'm sure you can't wait until the pool is finished so you can take it all in from the cool comfort of the pool. Thanks for sharing.

Kat said...

Christine, you have such beautiful flowers. And that magnolia tree is so gorgeous. Wow, that is going to be some pool. I love all the extra details, this is going to be like a vacation in your back yard. Can't wait to see it when it's finished. Thanks for the picture tag, I'll be working on it soon I promise. Stop by when you get a chance, I've tagged YOU! Kathy

Pinky said...

Christine! I am SOOO happy for you getting a POOL!!!! I know you and your family will make wonderful memories around it! Have a wonderful summer when it is complete! I can't wait to see the finished product!!! Hugs, Pinky

Unknown said...

Beautiful picture and so much work for your pool. It will be beautiful and well worth it. Happy ODW

Madame Meg said...

My goodness, I am in awe of your gardens! They look SO lush and beautiful! I don't know if I'll ever manage that up here in MA, but I can enjoy yours! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for stopping by!
- Meg

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, they have really made a lot of progress on the pool! Ya'll obviously haven't had as much rain as we have had. You'll be swimming in no time! Your flowers are lovely. laurie

Silvia said...

beautiful flowers xinex and the pool, a dream just a dream! cant wait to see it all finished...

silvia

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

Your flowers and plants are really doing well. You and your family are really going to enjoy that pool. I have never seen a turbo seat. How cool.

Barb said...

So many wonderful plants and flowers and that pool will be great.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday.

Barb

Tara said...

The yard is looking beautiful I love it when things start popping out. Sometimes you forget what you have until it reappears. How fantastic that you are installing a pool! What fun for the summer. I bet you can't wait until it's done and you get your yard back! You'll have to have a pool party, and use that new bar area you re-vamped!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Your garden is wonderful!!! The flowers are just gorgeous!!! I bet you are so excited about your pool...I can't wait to see the finished product!!!

Hve a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Isn't it fun when everything starts blooming!

Chandy said...

Lovely pool that's going to be, Christine and all those plants are just amazing! You must love just sniffing the air when you're out there, huh? You have a beautiful place over there... That is gonna a huge pool!

Chandy said...

I forgot to mention, love the new background!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Christine! Look at all the progress! I know you are getting excited! You have some beautiful plants in your yard! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Christine,
I've got my sunscreen and I'm on my way! How exciting and great flower pics that are so lovely. Cindy

Tomarie said...

C~ Your garden pics are fabulous! I love the bed along the driveway too!
I can't believe how fast the pool men work! :-) I love the shape of it...and now I understand what you meant by the turbo seat...VERY cool! Must be fun watching them put it in! L~

Still Learning said...

My, you have some gorgeous plants!! And that pool, a turbo chair? Oh boy, that looks like the place to be. Can you imagine after a long day to sit in that little spot?? I so want to be your neighbor right now. Fabulous!!

The Stylish House said...

Christine,
This is my first visit to your blog and wow I am in love with your new pool installation. Until I can have my own I can live vicariously through yours! Your front yard is lovely. You took a superb photo of that single pink rose.
Cathy

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Christine...that pool is going to be awesome my friend..I can just see AJ playing in it...looking great...hope you have a great day my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday, Christine. Beautiful flower photos. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the pool.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a pleasure it will be to sit in the cool water of the new pool and enjoy the beauty of your garden.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

yay! A pool! A pool! A pool! I grew up with a pool and I can honestly say it was part of some of my best childhood memories :0) I know you will enjoy this lovely loxury!
Thanks for sharing!

Beth at Aunties said...

Your flowers and trees are so beautiful. I took pictures while in the south east a few weeks ago of the gorgeous magnolia's. They really are spectacular. I am so thrilled when someone like your family gets something fabulous and your pool looks like it will be fantastic! Really relaxing and a place for cherished memories to abound! The surrounding area is beautiful! Congratulations and show us update pictures!

Beth~♥

Rue said...

Hi Christine :)

The pool is coming right along! Next thing you know you'll be lying on a raft getting a tan ;)

your flowers look beautiful!!

xo,
rue

Keetha Broyles said...

Wow girl, that pool is going to be QUITE SOMETHING when it is finished - - - can't wait for THOSE pictures.

Not only are magnolias gorgeous, but I like how they smell too.

Marie said...

I luv gardenias Christine...they are my very fav flowers. I just planted a gallon yesterday and hopefully it lives (don't have a green thumb). I'm so excited for you about your pool project. Can't wait to see the end result!
-marie

Blondie's Journal said...

Christine,

I love your new blog look~I haven't been around for awhile, I've had a bad bronchitis~asthma thing and to even blog makes me out of breath. Gosh~don't I sound old!! So I don't know how long you have had it, but it is nice. A lot like your personality too!

Your plants in the front and side are just so full and lush. I like that, so natural. I think you have shasta daisies in that one picture and below I think you have honeysuckle. It is hard for me to say because in your climate you can grow such different things then mine. And by the way, it is only 60 degrees here today, I am ready to turn the heat on!!

That pool looks like it is going to be quite elegant with the Grecian steps. You can really do a lot of creative things now. I wish I did live in the South~just for a pool though~I like my snow!!!

Thanks for the sweet comments about Abby. She really is a sweetie~just going through some stressful times and I of course catch it like a cold!!

I also wanted to mention that I checked on the herb I told you about to plant between stones. It is called Creeping Thyme and it can be used also as a groundcover (be careful~it may take over!!) But I heard if you plant seeds in the spaces between your steps or stones, when you walk, you will crush the herb and the scent will be released. I am going to try it in a few places. It is Creeping Thyme, not Common Thyme.

You have a wonderful week, Christine! :-)

xoxo
Janie

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hey Girlfriend...

Girl, your pool is coming right along...in fact, they're really working fast...seems to be great progress!!! It's going to be fabulous!!! Did they give you a projected finish date?

I loved seeing all of your pretty flowers! Ohhh, that magnolia tree is gorgeous...I remember the scent of them!!! It's just too cold here in Colorado for that pretty flowering tree! Hmmm...wonder what the name of your pretty orange colored flowering tree is? I just love that orange color! Your yard is always soooo beautiful!!! We have been having lots of cool and rainy weather here! Yesterday it was in the 50's...can you believe it? But the cooler weather along with the rain has our lawn really looking lush and green...finally! It's been a long cold winter...so nice to see the green again! hehe!

Just wanted to let you know that I finally posted my new seashell dishes for Tablescape Thursday! You'll have to come by and check it out and let me know what you think! Hope that your having a great day...I bet it's fun watching them work on your pool...I'd love that!!!

Love ya,
Chari

Becky K. said...

You will never have to leave home for vacation again. This pool will be awesome!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, thanks a million for joining the Cloche Party. I think it will be a lot of fun to see everyone's creations. Also several ladies are going to include their apothecary jars they decorate. So include those if you have some. Hugs, Marty

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've got a bunch of construction going on. But thank heavens there's no big cement trucks! Hope they don't run over any plants or gardens. You've a lovely spot!
Brenda

Four Paws and Co said...

Wow, looks like the pool is moving along quickly. Great pictures! ☺ Diane

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

it is fabulous...love your blog..Enjoyed reading your blog today..still finding my way around blogland....I always love making new friends..I am posting about Disney so hope you will stop by. Commenting automatically puts you in the drawing for the June giveaway.

sunnymama said...

Wow! That is going to be a fantastic pool. All the blooms are looking lovely. We have those daisy type flowers in our garden too and I was told what they're called but I forgot :)

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